The Lesser Bohemians

A young Irish drama student in 1990s London makes new friends, establishes a place for herself, and seeks to shed her plain-girl identity before entering a whirlwind affair with an older man who changes her in unexpected ways.

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Saying - "Lesser Bohemians" is a "Fifty Shades of Grey" for artists, poets, and the intelligentsia - offers a taste of the novel, but misses the innovation of language of the novel. McBride's transformation of syntax and sentence structure captures the rhythm of thought and sensation of the eighteen year old Irish woman, Eily, who comes to London to study acting at a conservatory. Soon she is immersed in an all-consuming affair with an angst ridden 38 year old man. It took me several pages to adapt to the unique style and structure of the text, but the challenge is worth the reward: a poetry of sexuality, discovery and love. Speaking as a theatre artist, I believe the over-powering nature of Eily's love should have been a greater challenge to her ability to meet her obligations to her theatre program and fellow actors. However, one incident in which she broke down at a rehearsal and angered the director, showed the conflict between the intensity of love and the demands of art.

An engrossing, intimate novel about an 18 year old Irish girl who moves to London and has an affair with an older actor. You are very much drawn into her mind and thoughts through McBride's ambitious use of language. Challenging and enjoyable.